Xandros makes a Novell-style deal with Microsoft

Linux distributor Xandros has made a deal with Microsoft that involves a …

Following in Novell's footsteps, Linux distributor Xandros is the latest company to establish a collaboration agreement with Microsoft. Like the controversial deal between Microsoft and Novell, this new arrangement between Microsoft and Xandros involves technical collaboration aimed at promoting interoperability as well as a covenant not to sue over patent infringement.

Software interoperability efforts encompassed by the agreement will primarily relate to systems management technologies, server protocol interoperability, and office document compatibility. Xandros plans to implement WS-Management support in its BridgeWays cross-platform management system and will work with Microsoft to improve tools and frameworks that facilitate translation between Microsoft's Open Office XML format and the OpenDocument format. Other efforts will focus on improving interoperability and ease of management in mixed-platform networks.

"Companies today are running a mixture of Linux and Windows systems," said Andreas Typaldos, chief executive officer of Xandros. "Cross-platform data centers are a reality. To meet evolving customer needs, vendors need to recognize the value of sharing intellectual property, developing more interoperable solutions, and providing management tools that are familiar and easy to use."

Like Microsoft's deal with Novell, this agreement with Xandros includes some co-marketing plans. In a statement, Xandros says that Microsoft will establish a team trained to convey the "value propositions" of the company's collaboration with Xandros to customers and partners and "endorse Xandros Server and Desktop as a preferred Linux distribution." Although Microsoft plans to endorse the Xandros Linux distribution, Microsoft will not be selling vouchers for Xandros-related services.

The patent covenant will undoubtedly make this agreement controversial. Some have expressed concerns that Linux vendors are adding credibility to Microsoft's unsubstantiated claims regarding Linux patent infringement by entering into patent covenant agreements with Microsoft. An upcoming revision of the General Public License (GPL)—a widely used open-source software license—aims to prevent Linux distributors from making deals that involve patent covenants because such deals are perceived by some as antithetical to the principles of unrestricted redistribution inherent to the open-source software movement. The new version of the GPL 3 includes a grandfather clause for Novell, but that won't apply to Xandros. As a result of this agreement, Xandros will definitely face hostility from a vocal faction of Linux users.